Meter Reading: Austin’s Big Bet on Biomass Not Likely to Pay Off, No Relief From Heat, and More

Photo by Daniel Reese/KUT News

Little relief is in sight for the drought gripping the nation.

Expensive wood waste power plant to push up Austin electric bills – “A power plant fueled by wood waste held its official opening after briefly coming online a few weeks ago. The privately owned plant will sell $2 billion worth of electricity to Austin Energy for the next 20 years at a price well above the going rate for competing power sources. It will add $1.94 to the average home’s monthly bill of about $100, according to Austin Energy estimates.” — Austin American-Statesman

For the Sweltering, Little Relief in Sight – “No one living in America’s heartland needs an expert to tell them that it’s hot and dry out there. But that’s the message from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.” — New York Times

Damaged Motiva refinery unit to reopen in 2013 – “Motiva plans to restart the brand-new crude distillation unit at its Port Arthur Refinery early next year, after a chemical leak shut it down last month.” — Fuel Fix